The majority of the UK's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) became a private company - Qinetiq - on 1 July. Although the UK Government will initially own all the shares, it is expected that Qinetiq will be floated next year if market conditions are suitable. The other element of DERA has been renamed the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and encompasses sensitive capabilities such as the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down and the Centre for Defence Analysis. It remains a government agency.
Source: Flight International
